Early Entrance
In order to enter kindergarten in the state of Illinois, children must be five years of age by September 1st of their kindergarten year and six years of age by September 1st of their first grade year.
Antioch CCSD 34 serves a broad continuum of learners. The mission of D34 is to inspire our students to dream and inspire them to achieve. In order for all students to achieve personal excellence, at times it may become necessary to accelerate the curriculum. In some cases, the most appropriate way to provide this experience is through early entrance to kindergarten or first grade. A written procedure for early entrance is essential to ensure equitable access to the process and to provide guidelines that offer a fair and systematic opportunity for all.
In accordance with the Illinois Accelerated Placement Act (PublicAct 100-0421), D34 has created specific criteria and procedures regarding early entrance consideration. The criteria set forth uses multiple data points in order to assure the most appropriate placement is made for each student. D34 recognizes that early entrance and acceleration can have a profound effect on a child’s school career in the areas of both social-emotional and academic performance. Decisions regarding early entrance follow the outline stated below and the final decision rests with Antioch CCSD 34.
QUESTIONS?
Candidates for Early Entrance
Families requesting early entrance should be aware that very few children screened meet the criteria to enter kindergarten early. While we are pleased to test applicants, the tests are challenging and time consuming. It is in the best interest of the student to balance test requests against the disappointment that may occur should the child not qualify.
An ideal candidate for early entrance is a student who consistently demonstrates compelling and extraordinary aptitude for academic learning and is well-balanced emotionally and socially. Early entrance is considered an accelerated placement. As such, accelerated students are expected to achieve, relative to their new grade peers, at a high level once acclimated. Their performance is expected to remain in the highest tier throughout their academic careers.
Strong candidates for early entrance kindergarten can:
- Read independently
- Write 2–3 sentences independently
- Demonstrate the ability to rhyme
- Understand the concept of a word and that words are made up of individual sounds
- Identify and write numbers
- Count in sequence
- Count objects accurately
- Identify 2D shapes
- Transition easily between activities
- Interact appropriately with peers and adults
- Demonstrate strong fine motor skills (e.g., using scissors, holding and writing with a pencil)
- Accept and respond appropriately to feedback from adults
Application Process and Preliminary Criteria
- The child must live within D34 boundaries and turn five years old between September 2nd and October 31st.
- Parents must submit the following completed paperwork and documentation to the Antioch CCSD 34 Administrative Services Center by April 1st of the previous school year to initiate the process:
- Application for Early Entrance to Kindergarten
- Proof of residency
- Child's birth certificate
- Parent rating scale
- Teacher rating scale
- Screening fee of $150 for initial screening, $200 for second screening (if child qualifies)
- Upon receipt of all required documentation, forms, and fees, the district will reach out to families to schedule a screening. All screenings will take place during the school day.
Early Entrance Screening Process
Screening processes will be fair and equitable and based upon quantitative and qualitative data that has been collected for determination of appropriateness of early entrance. Assessments will be completed by certified school personnel who have the knowledge and skills necessary to administer, score, and interpret the results of the assessments given. Assessment results will be provided to parents inclusive of data points required for consideration of early entrance.
Initial Screening and Assessment
The initial screening will consist of an assessment of kindergarten readiness, along with additional assessments in the areas of math, reading, and writing. These assessments help determine student readiness for early entrance based on academic and developmental criteria.
The initial screening will consist of an assessment of kindergarten readiness, along with additional assessments in the areas of math, reading, and writing. These assessments help determine student readiness for early entrance based on academic and developmental criteria.
Additional Testing
If a child demonstrates advanced academic readiness during the initial assessments, parents will be contacted by the district to schedule further testing. The fee for the initial testing session is $150 and is due with initial application materials. If a child qualifies for a second and final session, an additional fee of $200 will apply.
If a child demonstrates advanced academic readiness during the initial assessments, parents will be contacted by the district to schedule further testing. The fee for the initial testing session is $150 and is due with initial application materials. If a child qualifies for a second and final session, an additional fee of $200 will apply.
Tier 1: Initial Screening
The first screening includes:
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A kindergarten readiness screening assessing foundational skills and developmental milestones.
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Academic assessments in the areas of reading, writing, and math.
Students must perform at or above the 95th percentile in all three academic areas to move on to the second phase of screening.
There is a $150 fee for the initial screening that must be turned in with the application materials.
Tier 2: Cognitive and Social-Emotional Screening
Students who qualify will be invited to participate in a second screening administered by a school psychologist. This screening includes:
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A cognitive abilities assessment to evaluate reasoning, problem-solving, and general intellectual functioning.
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A social-emotional learning (SEL) screener to help determine social readiness and behavioral maturity for kindergarten placement.
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Classroom Observation (onsite)
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As part of the early entrance screening process, your child will participate in an onsite classroom observation within a current D34 kindergarten class. This observation allows staff to assess your child’s social and emotional readiness for school. During this time, the evaluator will observe how your child interacts with peers, manages emotions, demonstrates maturity, and applies executive functioning skills, such as attention, self-regulation, and independence in an academic setting.
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There is a $200 fee for the second screening, which is due at the time of testing.
The results from both screenings are reviewed comprehensively by the district’s early entrance team. Admission decisions are based on the student’s overall profile to ensure that each child’s academic and developmental needs can be successfully supported in a kindergarten setting.
Determination of Eligibility
Final decisions regarding eligibility for early entrance to kindergarten will be made by the Early Entrance team and a district administrator and are based on meeting the criteria above. All decisions are final.
Notification of Determination
Tier 1: Initial Screening
After the initial Tier 1 Screening has been completed, families will be notified in writing whether or not there is sufficient grounds to move forward to the second tier in the consideration process.
Tier 2: Cognitive and Social-Emotional Screening
Upon completion of the second screening, the screening team will meet with parents to review the results and share the placement recommendation. This recommendation will be based on the evaluation, and the decision will be considered final. If the child meets the district’s criteria for early entrance to kindergarten, they will begin kindergarten on the first day of the new school year.
Families may choose to accept or decline the offer of early entrance. If the family accepts, the Early Entrance team will coordinate with the incoming school to plan a smooth and successful transition for the start of the school year.
Provisional Placement
If the student is a candidate for early entrance, they will be placed in kindergarten on a provisional basis. The school staff will assess the student’s initial adjustment during the first 30 days of school and review all student performance data to determine if a child’s placement is satisfactory.
If a student's performance is not satisfactory, the principal will request that the child unenroll and re-enroll when the child meets Illinois state age requirements for the appropriate grade level. If it is decided the student’s adjustment is satisfactory, the student will continue enrollment in kindergarten. Parents will be notified by district personnel as to the results of the 30-day provisional placement.